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The Wanting
Louise and Max Untermeyer and their young son arrive in a small California town where a growing sense of foreboding and danger leads to a terrifying revelation of darkness and malevolence
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 23, 2023
At times intriguing, at times frustrating, The Wanting left me pretty mixed for sure. Black gives us a fairly typical setup for this tale-- a family, Max and Louise, with a 12yo son Denny, decide to spend the summer in an old house in the California mountains by Oregon (they reside in San Francisco). Seems like a small town horror tale, the question arising is what kind of foo the family will encounter. Max is a bit of mess; having an affair, dropping all kinds of pills, and when the family gets there, he starts boozing as well. Denny, at first bored with it all, finds solace with their nearest neighbors, the Summers, an old (e.g., ancient) couple with a run down cabin. Mrs Summer (Caroline) always seems to be baking something Denny loves and they let him play with all the junk in their yard. Louise is just going through the motions, worried about her husband and Denny, but not really doing much to resolve either issue...
Meanwhile, we are introduced to a wide cast, the sheriff in town being one of the leads, but also several of the other townies, including a few doctors and the mayor. The town next to the cabin the family rented for the summer has become a tourist trap; it started out as a rough and ready silver mining town in the 19th century, but now is something of a Disney version of that. The sheriff, Metger, keeps sniffing around for some reason at some rather odd deaths of children in town over the years, in part because as a young deputy, he witnessed a grizzly scene at the cabin Max and Louise now rent-- the suicide of a young woman. I found this part rather unconvincing and forced.
What was very frustrating with this book is how Black dropped lots of hints, but not until the end did we find out what was killing the kids or how they were connected. Yeah, I get the mystery aspect, but I needed something more to chew on here. Regarding the girl suicide, for example, Black tells us that the girl was suffering from some sort of sickness, but never elaborates on it at all.
Early in the novel we know something is hinky about the Summers, and Denny seems rather unnaturally attracted to the old couple. Yet, rather than getting down to the story, Black takes us on many side story arcs over and over. Black does bring it 'all back home' in the end, but not in a very satisfactory way, leaving too many questions unanswered. So, while I enjoyed this in parts, I felt increasingly frustrated with the book as it progressed, and the denouement was not enough to overcome that. 2 wanting stars!!
Meanwhile, we are introduced to a wide cast, the sheriff in town being one of the leads, but also several of the other townies, including a few doctors and the mayor. The town next to the cabin the family rented for the summer has become a tourist trap; it started out as a rough and ready silver mining town in the 19th century, but now is something of a Disney version of that. The sheriff, Metger, keeps sniffing around for some reason at some rather odd deaths of children in town over the years, in part because as a young deputy, he witnessed a grizzly scene at the cabin Max and Louise now rent-- the suicide of a young woman. I found this part rather unconvincing and forced.
What was very frustrating with this book is how Black dropped lots of hints, but not until the end did we find out what was killing the kids or how they were connected. Yeah, I get the mystery aspect, but I needed something more to chew on here. Regarding the girl suicide, for example, Black tells us that the girl was suffering from some sort of sickness, but never elaborates on it at all.
Early in the novel we know something is hinky about the Summers, and Denny seems rather unnaturally attracted to the old couple. Yet, rather than getting down to the story, Black takes us on many side story arcs over and over. Black does bring it 'all back home' in the end, but not in a very satisfactory way, leaving too many questions unanswered. So, while I enjoyed this in parts, I felt increasingly frustrated with the book as it progressed, and the denouement was not enough to overcome that. 2 wanting stars!!
February 18, 2017
I don't read much horror anymore. Sadly the news have been a more than adequate substitute for scary stories. But Armstrong is the author I've discovered recently and much enjoyed. This is my third read of his, in chronological order, and his talent and versatility continue to amaze. His earlier books were nothing like this, his debut was a lean and mean suburban creepiness straight out of Ruth Rendell school, sophomore effort a psychological bureaucratic Kafkaesque nightmare. This one written some years later and originally published under pseudonym Campbell Black is more along the lines of prototypical horror. Small town evil and all that. Maybe not uber original, but done so right. Purely psychological profoundly sinister tale of...well in a way, love and pursuit of immortality, at all costs. Unlike the previous two books, which were distinctly British, this one was as thoroughly American as apple pie or gun violence. The author lived and taught in the US for years. This is much classier although questionably edited digital version, in the 80s this one was published with a time appropriate schlocky cover, but don't let them cloud your judgment, the writing here exceeds all expectations, vivid, ending on literary, very atmospheric. Even realizing the plot early on hadn't diminished the enjoyment of the book. Why isn't this author more well known? Barely any reviews on GR. Barely any information online. Shame really, because the his writing has a quality that is consistent and top shelf. I sincerely hope my reviews might help more fans to discover these books. Great story and not merely for genre fans. Enthusiastically recommended.
May 4, 2017
Fantastic novel, horror of the 80s at its very best. You really want to know what the magic of the old couple is about and you want to find out what causes young kids to age that quickly. Page turner you can't put away. I also liked how the action was staged and the plot evolved. Great horror novel!It's like watching a movie. Campbell Black (this book comes under his real name Campbell Armstrong) really knows how to write. Magnificent!
June 30, 2017
Just an incredibly well written and involving book. We follow the Untermeyers through a familial collapse, instigated by the creepy Pyotr Zmia to keep them distracted whilst their son has the life sucked out of him by two ancient vampire types, and into a tale of Mayoral cover ups and enforced dementia. The opening section - all suicide and withered hands - is nigh on perfect. If you like small towns full of dark secrets then this is a belter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2019
DNF at 146. It seemed like it might've been going in multiple directions, but it was taking too long to get to any of them. And I stopped caring.
July 11, 2015
The front of the copy I bought said "Black writes much better than King or Straub". He doesn't. The story took too long to reach its climax, with the resolution and explanation being crammed in to 5 pages. There were also numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes. Not good.
January 23, 2018
Loved reading this—it kept me guessing and the thrill of how the story unwinds was really well-done. I recommend this.
May 14, 2017
Very meh. Would have been much better as a short story or being edited down by about 200 pages.
March 8, 2020
Wanting More
Enjoyed the book, creepy and disturbing, and the ending is horrific and chilling, but I want to know more. How was this done -- what was the process? What happened to the professor? What happens to Louise? What happens to Max (what a dud, by the way) -- is he blamed for Connie? What happens to Stanley Metger and Florence Hann? What happened to Frog? If the Summers are dead, how are they in Denny's mind, and how will they manipulate Denny's moral corruption and perpetuation of whatever depraved process the Summers and the Professor were using for his, Denny's, "recovery?" What was the nature of the ancient transactional agreement between the Summers and the Banyons, and how does it relate to present day events? Does Jerry ever discover the real underlying truth? What do Mayor Ronson, Bryce Dunning, and Drs. Pelusi and Miles Henderson know, and how are they involved? Needs another book to tie up all these loose ends.
Enjoyed the book, creepy and disturbing, and the ending is horrific and chilling, but I want to know more. How was this done -- what was the process? What happened to the professor? What happens to Louise? What happens to Max (what a dud, by the way) -- is he blamed for Connie? What happens to Stanley Metger and Florence Hann? What happened to Frog? If the Summers are dead, how are they in Denny's mind, and how will they manipulate Denny's moral corruption and perpetuation of whatever depraved process the Summers and the Professor were using for his, Denny's, "recovery?" What was the nature of the ancient transactional agreement between the Summers and the Banyons, and how does it relate to present day events? Does Jerry ever discover the real underlying truth? What do Mayor Ronson, Bryce Dunning, and Drs. Pelusi and Miles Henderson know, and how are they involved? Needs another book to tie up all these loose ends.
April 7, 2017
I had to quit reading this book. Too much sexual contact almost from the first chapter.
January 7, 2018
Perfect book while stuck inside during a period of rough winter weather. A very, very slow mover after a terrifying first chapter. Oh, but I’m so glad I stayed with it. Part horror, part mystery, part coming-of-age (in a way) story.
“All at once it came to him that there was something odd about this whole situation. “. I think you have to be in the mood for this kind of book. If I was antsy for something fast-paced, I might have put this one down. But I want to go on a ride and let the author lead me right along with the family, which rents a redwood house in the forest, six hours north of their busy life in San Francisco. I enjoyed meeting all the characters in town. Not quite sure where the author was going, but the last third make up for it. Just what is out there in the forest? What is up with all the residents, both in the forest and back in town? Sometimes...” the past’s the only thing you got to look forward to”.
January 27, 2021
EXCRUCIATINGLY slow and boring. The first chapter is amazing and chilling, but then nothing for the entire book?? Writing about mundane life and adding "jumpscare" sentences that made you think something's about to happen but then it's nothing does not equal suspense or horror. My husband dropped it at chapter 8 and I picked it up out of curiosity but nah. I don't care how good the ending is, if you can't retain your audience and create real suspense and plot the book is not worth wasting the time on. The entire book is full of telling not showing, and shallow characters whose POV chapters add nothing to the story. No thank you.
April 25, 2023
Picked it up at Goodwill, and it was reviewed by the Village Voice, "Black writes much better than King or Straub." I have to say with only reading this piece, he is up there. Good twist on progeria disease.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2024
This one had me hooked right up until the ending which was lackluster at best—not even a good twist. The book was slow at times, but I kept holding out waiting for the build up to a grand finale. Womp womp.
June 2, 2018
Pretty darn creepy.
September 17, 2019
This is one of those spooky books about small town secrets that go on for generations......with no real explanation.
February 7, 2020
Does the author himself know how the hell the whole "vampires of the spirit" thing works? Old people scratch kids and they catch old?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2022
Good story my MY GOD the Kindle version is badly in need of an editor.
May 30, 2025
creepy
March 15, 2015
It was okay, I can't really remember anything from it. There was a hippie character who liked Donovan.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews